APUSG Full Terms Flashcards

Full AP US Government and Politics terms flashcard based on the Master Vocabulary List from an online pdf. It includes unit 1-5.

Limited Government

A political system where the powers of the government are restricted by law, typically through a constitution.

Natural Rights

Fundamental rights that every individual possesses regardless of government or social norms.

John Locke

An influential Enlightenment thinker known for his ideas on natural rights and government that influenced American political thought.

Social Contract

An implicit agreement among individuals to form a society and abide by its rules in exchange for protection of their rights.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

The “Grand Committee”

A group formed during the Constitutional Convention to address issues related to representation and state interests.

Declaration of Independence

A document adopted on July 4, 1776, declaring the thirteen colonies' separation from British rule.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States that created a weak federal government, replaced by the current Constitution.

Preamble

The introductory statement of the U.S. Constitution outlining its purposes and guiding principles.

U.S. Constitution

The supreme law of the United States, establishing the country's framework of government.

Representative Democracy

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Participatory Democracy

A model of democracy emphasizing broad participation in decision-making.

Pluralist Democracy

A type of democracy in which multiple groups compete for power and influence in policy-making.

Elite Democracy

A democratic system in which a small number of elites hold power and influence over policy decisions.

Federalist #10

An essay by James Madison arguing for the importance of a large republic in controlling factions.

Brutus #1

An anti-Federalist essay arguing against the ratification of the Constitution by advocating for a more decentralized government.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong national government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who favored states' rights and a weaker national government.

Central Government

The primary governing authority of a political entity, usually the national government.

Reserved Powers

Powers not granted to the federal government nor prohibited to the states, reserved for the states and the people.

Republic

A form of government in which representatives are elected to make decisions and govern on behalf of the citizens.

Factions

Interest groups or political parties that may act contrary to the interests of the public.

Shay’s Rebellion

An uprising in 1786 by farmers protesting economic injustices and the lack of government response, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Virginia Plan

A proposal for a new constitution that called for representation based on population.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal to create a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

A compromise that established a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in one house and equal representation in the other.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement to count three-fifths of a state's slave population for taxation and representation purposes.

Slave Trade Compromise

An agreement allowing the slave trade to continue for a certain period before Congress could decide to ban it.

Ex post facto law

A law that makes an act illegal after it has already been committed.

Bill of attainder

Legislative act that singles out an individual or group for punishment without a trial.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the Constitution, responsible for electing the President and Vice President.

Article IV

Part of the Constitution that outlines the responsibilities and duties of states to each other and to the federal government.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

A clause in Article IV requiring states to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of all other states.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

A clause in Article IV that prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states.

Amendment Process

The procedure outlined in the Constitution for making changes or additions to the document.

Article V

The section of the Constitution that outlines the process for amending the Constitution.

Article VI

The section establishing the supremacy of the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties over state laws.

Article VII

The section that details the process for ratification of the Constitution.

Ratification

The formal approval process for the Constitution or its amendments.

Checks and Balances

A system in which different branches of government are empowered to prevent actions by other branches.

Separation of Powers

A political doctrine that divides government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions.

Federalist #51

An essay written by James Madison arguing for the need for separation of powers and checks and balances.

Tyranny of the Majority

A situation in which a majority uses its power to suppress the rights or interests of a minority.

Multiple policy access points

Opportunities within the political system for interest groups to influence policy.

Impeachment

The process by which a legislative body charges a government official with misconduct.

Exclusive powers

Powers reserved solely for the national government or the states.

Concurrent Powers

Powers that are shared by both the federal and state governments.

Federal Balance of Power

The distribution of power between the national and state governments.

Dual Federalism

A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain independent and exercise their powers separately.

“Layer Cake” Federalism

A metaphor describing dual federalism, emphasizing clear distinctions between state and federal authority.

Cooperative Federalism

A system in which both the national and state governments work together to solve problems.

“Marble Cake” Federalism

A metaphor describing cooperative federalism, emphasizing the blending of federal and state government functions.

Fiscal Federalism

The financial relationships between different levels of government, particularly relating to allocation of resources.

Grants

Funds provided by one level of government to another, typically for specific purposes.

Incentives

Factors that motivate or influence actions or decisions.

Conditions-of-aid

Rules set by the federal government that states must follow to receive federal funding.

Revenue Sharing

The distribution of a portion of federal tax revenues to state and local governments.

Mandates

Requirements placed on states or local governments to comply with federal rules and regulations.

Clean Air Act (1970)

A comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources.

Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)

Legislation that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds provided for a specific purpose or category of spending.

Block Grants

Federal funds provided to states for broad purposes with few restrictions on how the money is spent.

Tenth Amendment

The constitutional amendment that reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

Commerce Clause

The constitutional provision that grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, states, and Indian tribes.

Necessary and Proper Clause

A clause in the Constitution granting Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its duties.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but implied through the interpretation of the enumerated powers.

Inherent Powers

Powers that are not enumerated but are considered necessary for the functioning of the government.

State Sovereignty

The concept that states have the right to govern themselves without outside interference.

Supreme Court of the United States

The highest court in the federal judiciary, responsible for interpreting the Constitution.

Statute

A formal written enactment of a legislative authority.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

A landmark Supreme Court case that established federal superiority over the states and confirmed the implied powers of Congress.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

A Supreme Court case that limited Congress’s authority under the Commerce Clause.

Institutions of Government

The established structures of government through which authority is exercised.

Article I

The section of the Constitution that establishes the legislative branch of the federal government.

Bicameral

A legislative structure that consists of two chambers or houses.

Constituency

The residents of a congressional district that a representative serves.

Coalition-building

The process of bringing together various interest groups to achieve a common goal.

Revenue

The income generated from taxes and other sources that the government uses to fund its operations.

Congressional Committee

A subgroup within Congress that focuses on specific areas of legislation.

Standing Committee

A permanent committee in Congress responsible for overseeing specific policy areas.

Select Committee

A temporary committee established for a specific purpose.

Conference Committee

A temporary committee formed to resolve differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Joint Committee

A committee composed of members from both the House and Senate.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, responsible for maintaining order and overseeing proceedings.

President of the Senate

The Vice President of the United States, who serves as the presiding officer of the Senate.

President Pro Tempore

A senior member of the Senate who presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President.

Majority Leader

The head of the majority party in either the House of Representatives or the Senate.

Minority Leader

The head of the minority party in either the House of Representatives or the Senate.

Majority Whip

A party leader in Congress who assists the majority leader in managing the party's legislative program.

Minority Whip

A party leader who assists the minority leader in managing the minority party's legislative program.

Committee Chairperson

The member of Congress who leads a committee and oversees its operations.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block legislation by extending debate.

Cloture

A procedure for ending a filibuster and bringing a debate to a close in the Senate.

Quorum

The minimum number of members required to conduct business in a legislative body.

Hold

A procedural action in the Senate that prevents a motion from being brought to the floor.

Unanimous consent

An agreement in the Senate or House that allows for a measure to be acted upon without objection.

Rules Committee

A committee in the House of Representatives responsible for determining the rules for debate on proposed legislation.

Committee of the Whole

A committee that includes all members of the House, meeting to consider important issues.

Discharge Petition

A petition that can bring a bill out of committee and to the floor for a vote.